Hats, scarves, Personal Care and Great Team Work

 WOW!  16 awesome knitted cotton washcloths. These knitted cloths are made with the very popular corner to corner, Grandma's favorite type pattern.  You just can't go wrong with this tried and true long standing favorite pattern.  LOVE the colors.  Cotton Cloths are used is several ways.  They're awesome for folks living in the elements because they're so much nicer on your skin than a regular washcloth.  They're used in welcome home packs when family's transition from shelter living to a home situation and can be used as wash cloths or dish cloths.  These are always so well received.

 Scarves and toothbrushes! The toothbrushes are used again in family welcome packs, as well as by those living in the elements.  Scarves....used all year long by those in the elements and even in shelters which sometimes aren't all that warm.  LOVE the blue green......just happens to be one of my favorite color combinations.  

Hats and personal care items (soap).  The hats are a variety of sizes which is always helpful, as heads are a variety of sizes!  And soap, used like the cotton cloths and toothbrushes.........in all situations.

This wonderful donation is a team effort from our friends Nikki S and Christina D.  Great work ladies.  So cool to team up for a good cause.

Speaking of a good cause, our friend Nikki S just recently completed a 50 mile Pelotonia, raising funds for Cancer, the hideous disease that affects so many people.  This isn't her first time doing the Pelotonia...remarkable and kudos to you Nikki.  Love your spirit of charity.

**These donations were awhile ago, right before I left town for vacation, and were suppose to post...there have been some issues with blogger; which...fingers crossed seem to be improving.  So...this post is delayed, but it did give me the chance to tell you about Nikki and bike ride!

** All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Knitted Cotton Washcloths and More

Thank you Laura J for hand delivering this wonderful donation for Bridge and Beyond.  Laura has been very busy knitting cotton washcloths, as you can see.  Lots of different colors, and several different styles/patterns.  These cloths have so many different purposes and are always well received by those living in the elements, and those at the shelters.

Laura has included a nice variety of personal care items, and a rain poncho!  Tis the season for that for sure.  April showers bring May flowers.

Many thanks Laura for your thoughtful donation and for taking the time to hand delivery.  Much appreciated.  Please keep up the good work.

Stay tuned folks, as this is part I

**The counts on our progress bars are current. All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Crocheted Items from Head to Toe Help Homeless

Thanks you Sarah S for this thoughtful donation of crocheted goodies.  Look at the variety folks.  She's been busy crocheting scarves, slippers, hats, and cotton washcloths!  AND she's also included personal care items with her donation.  

Special thanks for taking the time to tag your hats with size, it is so helpful and such a huge time saver...both for me here at the house and for the various volunteers in the homeless shelters.  When they are tagged, it assists getting the item on the right shelf and into the hands of those in need quicker.

Thank you Sarah, was so nice to hear from you again.  Look forward to seeing you here again on Bridge and Beyond.  Thank you for your long time support of Bridge and Beyond and the Homeless we serve.

Please keep up the good work.

**The counts on our progress bars are current. Percentages are current, as of Feb 15th. All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. 

The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Caring for Homeless in Ohio Through Crochet

Thank you Barbara F for this wonderful donation and your long term support of Bridge and Beyond.  We truly appreciate all your efforts.  As you can see, Barbara has been busy with her crochet hook.  She crocheted, hats and scarves.  What a fun scarf the black and blue mix is.  Please click to enlarge the picture so you can see the details.

Special thanks for tagging all the hats with size.  What nice looking tags you made.  It really jazzing up the item, doesn't it.  Makes it look more like a gift.  Really lovely.

AND look at the personal care items.........specifically the female products.  There are never enough female products for women in shelters.  Many thanks for your thoughtfulness, Barbara.  Please know you are making a difference is the quality of someone's life.

Keep up the good work!

**The counts on our progress bars are current. Percentages are current, as of Feb 15th. All donations regardless of size and number are valued.

** All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Crocheted Donations for Homeless Continue

Thank you Emily K for this thoughtful donation of crocheted items to help Bridge and Beyond help Homeless in need.  Emily has included quite a variety of items with this donation.  She has cotton washcloths, some personal care items, a hat, mittens...........see me clapping!  I get really jazzed up when we get mittens!  She also included a pair of finger-less glovs/writs warmers.  I never know which is the more accepted or popular name.  

Thank you Emily, you are such a wonderful supporter of Bridge and Beyond.  Please know you are making an important difference in people's lives.

Oophs, almost missed the 2nd picture of the two pairs of slipper Emily made.  Very nice indeed.  Don't they look comfy and warm!  One of these days, I really should make myself a pair...one of these days.

Keep up the good work! 

**The counts on our progress bars are current, as are the percentages.  However, the percentages may not always be; as I don't plan to figure them with each donation.  They will be figured at least by the 20th of each month.

** All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Donating Coffee and Personal Care Items

 Here's about a dozen pots of coffee.  When we travel we stay in timeshares and they always leave a couple of packs of coffee.  Each is enough for a full 12 cup pot.  I always take my own coffee and so safe these for Rae, our friend who prepares meals for the homeless on Sat. mornings.  

Here....lots of personal care items saved also from the time shares.  Lots of soap, shampoo, hair conditioner, and lotion.  Folks this is a great way to donate without actually buying anything.  If you travel for business or pleasure save what the hotels give you.  Our donations of personal care items are delivered to Rae, and to The Homeless Families Foundation.  They're used by those living out in the elements, and those in the shelters.

The coffee isn't something for the shelters, as I believe there are food regulations, though I've not rechecked that in awhile.  I'm not asking for coffee donation, as I don't believe volumes of it are needed.  Should that change, I'll post it.  But, the personal care items are always needed. 

**The counts on our progress bars are current. Percentages are current, as of Feb 15th. All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Puppets and Personal Care for Homeless

This little puppet was photographed some time back and previously posted here on this blog, but I thought I would revisit it with you all.  Look how cute it is.  This one is knitted, but would think crocheting one would work just as well.  Puppets, certainly aren't going to keep people warm, but wouldn't it make a cute item for small children spending a night in a shelter?  Small, soft, and perhaps comforting.  Something I presumed to be easier for families to hold onto as they move about from day to day with temporary shelter situations.  Might it be an item that would help a child through the night of uncertainty?  This is something I would suggest we strive to make tons of, but something I do think would be nice for the shelters to have on hand. 

When I spotted this on my blog from some time back, I didn't see a pattern for it, but will do some looking around.  In the meantime, looking at it might be enough for some of our experienced knitters and or crocheters to wing it and make one.

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-knit-a-teddy-bear-hand-puppet/


If above link works, it's to a video and what looks to be very similar pattern for a puppet.

Here's a link to a free pattern on Ravelry.  You can create a free account there



Personal Care items is something men, women, and children need and use all year long.  There are used by folks living out in the elements, as well as those who obtain a night in a shelter.  AND they are needed when families transition from shelter living to a permanent housing situation.  Personal care items can be purchased, and collected whenever you visit hotels on business and or vacations.  Shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, mouth wash, combs, chapstick, shaving cream, razors, sunscreen, female products, soap are some of the items we donate all year long.  These are also items that non knitters and crocheters can help with.





**The counts on our progress bars are current, the percentages not quite. I'll not be figure the percentages with each update of numbers, but will be updating again next at least by the 20th. I have in fact made a reminder not on my cell phone for the 20th of each month to do percentages. If we're at a milestone, or I just have extra time I may do it more often...but certainly at that scheduled time.

** All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Knitted and Donating Scarves and Washcloths

Thank you Sue S for this awesome donation of knitted goodies.  Sue S has knitted 2 very nice scarves.  I LOVE the variegated yarn, the colors will work for men or women!  She's also knitted 6 cotton washcloths with lots of fun variegated yarn.  AND she's included some personal care items she collected a hotel, and some razors for the men.

Sorry the picture is a bit dark, it was such a dark gloomy day here when I took the picture.  Even after edited the photo to enhance the colors a bit it's still pretty dark.  You know it's gloomy and dark when you have all the lights in the house on at 2 in the afternoon.  

Hope everyone is staying warm, the temps have surely been low all around the country, I just can't imagine how bad it is for those living outside, or for those who need to be outside during the day waiting for the time the shelters allow them indoors.

Let us strive this year to do as much as we can.  Even if each of us donates one additional item over last years personal totals...think what a difference that would make.

I also want to thanks Sue for her dedication in visiting and commenting daily on the blog.  I truly appreciate that.  It so helps.  Thank you for all you do.

**Please note the number of items have been added to the individual progress bars, but the percentages will be done next on 20th of January**

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

How Can You Help the Homeless?

Since it's early in our new year, 2018, thought I'd post some ideas.  These ideas are ways you can help the homeless.  Maybe you've been here to the blog, Bridge and Beyond before; but have forgotten ways to help the homeless.........maybe you're new to reading this blog.  In either case, here's some ideas of things you can do to make life better for a homeless Man, Women, or Child.

• If you knit, or crochet or loom...the most obvious way to help is to knit, crochet, or loom hats, scarves, mittens, slippers, and afghans.
• If you don't knit, crochet or loom, but know someone who does ....buy them yarn to encourage them to knit, crochet or loom something to donate to Bridge and Beyond.
• If you don't knit, crochet or loom, and don't know the first thing about buying yarn, offer to pay postage for someone who does knit, crochet or loom and would make and donate something for Bridge and Beyond.
• Whether you knit, crochet, or loom or not..........visit the blog daily.  Why?  How does that help?  It helps traffic to the blog, which helps with the search engine optimization of the blog, which helps more people find us easier when searching for charities to knit, crochet or loom for.
• Take your blog visit a step farther, leave a comment.  Why?  The more time spent on the blog also aids the search engine optimization (SEO), and it encourages others to leave comments.  If you're a blogger you can leave your name and url to your blog.  Please leave the blog url, not a google+page url.  I'll return the visit, but can't if you're google+
• Regardless of whether or not you're a knitter, crocheter, or loomer or not......spread the word by sharing the link to the blog in your email contacts, and on your social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest etc.
• If you knit, crochet, or loom in public (planes, lunch at work, etc) have a card or two with you with the name and url of the blog.  Why?  People often ask what you're making when you're knitting, crocheting and or looming in public, right?  When they do tell them what you're making and why........offer them the card so they can check out the blog
• What is the url?  http://homelessbridge.blogspot.com/    you can also tell them to google Bridge and Beyond.
• Share the link to the Facebook Group    https://www.facebook.com/groups/246918975439091/?ref=bookmarks
• If you are not a knitter, crocheter or loomer, you can help by collecting personal care items which are needed all year long.  They are needed in Summer, Spring, Fall, and Winter.  You can buy personal care items, or you can collect items from hotels when you and your friends and family travel.
• Socks......store bought socks are always needed.  You don't need to be a knitter, crocheter, or loomer to donate socks.  Socks for men is the primary need.  When living outdoors the danger of wet cold feet is very real.  To have warm dry socks to change into can help keep people alive.

**Did you see our donation stats for the last 5 years?
----Thank you to those who donated in 2017

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

High School Friends Donate

 Thank you Felicity S for saving your personal care items for Bridge and Beyond.  Felicity is a high school friend (from back in the dark ages, lol).  We get together for lunch periodically.  The other day she and I had lunch at a cute little tea shop with another high school friend, Susie J.  Besides having a great time laughing and catching up and having an amazing lunch.........both brought goods for Bridge and Beyond.  

That's what I call a win win win!  Fun-Lunch-Donations!

Many thanks ladies, always fun to get together, and thank you for thinking about Bridge and beyond and those left fortunate.  I appreciate you both, as do those that will receive these warm socks and personal care items.

DONATIONS 2017

HATS:  180

SCARVES (Gators, Infinity Scarves)  164

MITTENS:  +9

SLIPPERS: 52

RAIN PONCHOS: 205

COTTON WASHCLOTHS: +72

AFGHANS: 6
SOCKS: 120 -14=106

Misc, Ponchos, shawls, headbands etc aren't counted but very much appreciated.

**We started the year with the number of items we had donated last year, 2016; and will subtract our donations from that.  Using the end number for 2016 as the goal for the each item.  So, as the year continues you will see numbers decrease.  Our goal is to meet and surpass the number of items donated last year.**

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Knitted Scarf in the Works

This is the scarf I started in the car on my way to Hilton Head for Girls Week.  We were busy enough, think I only worked on it once while we were actually there, but then again knitted in the car on the way home.  Love these colors.  You might remember I made an afghan (Blue Horizon) with these colors some time back with this lovely donated yarn.  Yikes, much longer ago than I remembered.  Take a look at the link, it was a work in progress at that point ....almost finished.  It has some texture, as I used garter stitch for the blue areas and stockinette for the rust/brown areas.  This photo is several days old and so the primary blue section in the middle is done.  Thus am past the middle point and soon to add the lighter blue to work my way down the last 6 sections of color changes.

The personal care items came back from Ireland and Scotland with me from the hotel rooms.

Next, I'll tackle an afghan I laid aside, needing black.  You might have read a few posts ago.  Nikki donated some yarn and among her donation was black....yippee.  So, I'll get that ghan done next.

What are you working on?  Do you knit or crochet in the car or on a plane?


DONATIONS 2017

HATS:  252

SCARVES (Gators, Infinity Scarves)   198

MITTENS: 36

SLIPPERS: 52

RAIN PONCHOS: 205

COTTON WASHCLOTHS: +72

AFGHANS: 31

SOCKS: 120 

Misc, Ponchos, shawls, headbands etc aren't counted but very much appreciated.

**We started the year with the number of items we had donated last year, 2016; and will subtract our donations from that.  Using the end number for 2016 as the goal for the each item.  So, as the year continues you will see numbers decrease.  Our goal is to meet and surpass the number of items donated last year.**

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

A Group Donation Helps Homeless

 28 Knitted Cotton Wash Cloths, in my personal favorite design, "Grandma's Favorite."  This pattern has been around a very long time and is always a big hit.  The corner to corner is fun, and Christina D, has jazzed things up a bit more by using fun color combinations.  Plus, I've not seen the red/green/ fall looking variegated cotton before.  LOVE it.  I've stacked those cotton wash cloths for this picture, so you might not be able to tell there are 28 in this donation!!  AND the brown/tan/gray........perfect for the men folk.  Thank you Christina for your long term support of Bridge and Beyond, and special thanks for remember the men with this donation.  Woot woot, look at our totals....72 over last years numbers!!

 This donation of yarn and a crocheted scarf is from our friend Nikki, with the toothbrushes being from her mother, Linda!  Nikki hand delivered her donation, her mothers donation, and her friend and our supporter, Christina's donation above.  Special Thanks for the special delivery Nikki.  Great yarn colors that will come in quite handy.  Initially, I'm thrilled to get the black.  Laid  aside a ghan I've been working on, as I needed........Black!  Perfect.  I'll get busy and get that ghan finished, hopefully soon.

This picture turned out a bit light, so the colors aren't quite right.  Plus, I see a couple of spots...note to self clean camera lens.  This lapghan Nikki crochet is a nice blue and burgundy.  Great colors for anyone, male or female!!

Many thanks Nikki for your donation, and your special delivery.  Both are very much appreciated.

DONATIONS 2017

HATS:  252

SCARVES (Gators, Infinity Scarves)   199-1=198

MITTENS: 36

SLIPPERS: 52

RAIN PONCHOS: 205

COTTON WASHCLOTHS: +44 +28=+72

AFGHANS: 32-1=31

SOCKS: 120 

Misc, Ponchos, shawls, headbands etc aren't counted but very much appreciated.

**We started the year with the number of items we had donated last year, 2016; and will subtract our donations from that.  Using the end number for 2016 as the goal for the each item.  So, as the year continues you will see numbers decrease.  Our goal is to meet and surpass the number of items donated last year.**

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Personal Care Donations for Homeless

WOW...look at the volume of this donation of personal care items!  There were many zip lock bags full of tooth brushes, toothpaste, floss, hair spray, shampoo, conditioner, soap, lotion, shaving cream.  There were even a few small sewing kits.  All of this bounty comes from saving samples you get in the mail, toiletries from hotel rooms and small containers of stuff you buy.  Personal care items are needed all year long by our homeless friends who live out in the elements, as well as those that get a night at a shelter.  They're also used and appreciated by those that transition from shelter living to a more permanent housing situation, as they are often added to the welcome home packs to help folks get started.

This donation comes from one of very best friends, Jane C.  If you've heard me mentioned being out of town for a week with the girls....Jane would be one of the "girls".  We've been marvelous friends for over 45 years!

Thank you Jane, keep up the good work.  Lots of folks will benefit from this donation.

DONATIONS 2017

HATS:  276

SCARVES (Gators, Infinity Scarves)  211

MITTENS: 36

SLIPPERS: 52

RAIN PONCHOS: 205

COTTON WASHCLOTHS: 28

AFGHANS: 32

SOCKS: 120 

Misc, Ponchos, shawls, headbands etc aren't counted but very much appreciated.

**We started the year with the number of items we had donated last year, 2016; and will subtract our donations from that.  Using the end number for 2016 as the goal for the each item.  So, as the year continues you will see numbers decrease.  Our goal is to meet and surpass the number of items donated last year.**

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Crocheted Goodies to Warm Ohio's Homeless

Thank you Emily K for this potpourri of crocheted goodies.  Take a look folks, she's been busy.  Emily has crocheted cotton wash clothes (please scroll back to my previous post about all the uses for these cotton wash clothes), crocheted hats, crocheted scarves, and crocheted mittens.

Listen........do you hear me?  You should.  You know, if you visited my blog before how excited I get when we get donations of mittens!  I give out a shout of glee, every single time.  Sometimes I dance in the streets too.  Perhaps you've seen me, lol.

Emily has also included a nice mix of personal care items.  Personal care items are used all year long folks, even when perhaps those in need might not need a hat.  They use personal care items when in the shelters, when living outdoors in the elements and they get a package of them to help start them stocking their permanent housing situation when they get their welcome home pack and transition out of shelter living. Personal care items can be toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, chap stick, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, shaving supplies, female supplies and more.  Personal Care items can be donated by those who don't knit or crochet.  You can save items from your travels from hotel rooms in order to make a donation.

Many thanks Emily, please keep up the good work.

2016 Donations:

HATS: 318-3=315

SCARVES (Gators, Infinity Scarves) 257-1=256

MITTENS: 60-2=58

SLIPPERS: 52

RAIN PONCHOS: 205

COTTON WASHCLOTHS: 35-2=33

AFGHANS: 33

SOCKS: 120 

Misc, Ponchos, shawls, headbands etc aren't counted but very much appreciated.

**We started the year with the number of items we had donated last year, 2016; and will subtract our donations from that.  Using the end number for 2016 as the goal for the each item.  So, as the year continues you will see numbers decrease.  Our goal is to meet and surpass the number of items donated last year.**

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Pictures of Donations for the Homeless After Being Hacked!

 If you read yesterday's post (and if not PLEASE PLEASE do), you know I was hacked and have been without the ability to use my computer and post for sometime.

 To give you an idea of what wonderful donations have been pending.  I'm posting these pictures, which will all be discussed in subsequent blog posts.

As note in yesterday's post, some pictures were stuck on my computer without my ability to get to them, others stuck in my camera without the ability to load them anywhere.

 Almost all of these wonderful donations had already been bagged for delivery.

 A few have come while I was working through the issues.

And, as we'll be catching up....thought you'd enjoy seeing all these wonderful knitted, crocheted, and loomed goodies!

 Our weather here as already started to turn.  August in fact might have been one of the coldest I can remember.  Ohio August's are always referred to as the dog days of summer.  Not this year.  The last several weeks of the month we had many mornings with temps in the 50's, which is just crazy.

 And now for the last month, we thought we might have what in this area is referred to as Indian Summer....once the kids get back to school it gets super hot.  NOPE, that didn't happen either.

 While we've not had frost yet, we have had lots of fog that last several mornings.  Could barely see out the window this am and it didn't clear til around 10:30 am.  Strange weather indeed.  Though mind you, we're not having floods, or hurricanes, or tornado's or earthquakes, or wild fires and for that, I am very grateful.

The fabulous donations are from:

Melinda G, Emily K, Sandie P, Sandra R, Connor W, Karen S, and Joy D.  Not necessarily in that order folks, just reading from notes.

Please know all your donations are very much appreciated.  AND please keep coming back to the blog to see the blog posts with your goodies.

Again Thank you all for your patience.  AND again, if you didn't read yesterday's post PLEASE do.  I want you all to be informed.

Also folks, thought it was time for a new look so have changed the layout, and theme/color of the blog a bit.  Hope you like it.


2016 Donations:

HATS: 318

SCARVES (Gators, Infinity Scarves) 257

MITTENS: 60

SLIPPERS: 52

RAIN PONCHOS: 205

COTTON WASHCLOTHS: 45

AFGHANS: 33

SOCKS: 120 

Misc, Ponchos, shawls, headbands etc aren't counted but very much appreciated.

**We started the year with the number of items we had donated last year, 2016; and will subtract our donations from that.  Using the end number for 2016 as the goal for the each item.  So, as the year continues you will see numbers decrease.  Our goal is to meet and surpass the number of items donated last year.**

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Hats, Mittens, and More aid the Homeless

Thank you Emily K for this generous donation.  She's got quite a mix of items here in her donation.  There are hats for both adults and kids, mittens for adults and kids, socks, scarves, and headbands....and personal care items.  WOW...  She's really been busy and included a little bit of everything~  Woot Woot, more mittens, you know how excited I get when we receive mittens.

Many thanks Emily for your on going support of our cause here on Bridge and Beyond.  Being homeless, being cold affects so many people  With help from people like you, we can make a difference in the lives of so many people in need. Please keep up the good work.

As always folks, remember you can click to enlarge the picture to see details of our wonderful and thoughtful donations.  Crafters Rock!  Crafters have such big hearts.  Thank you all.

2016 Donations:
HATS: 371-5=366
SCARVES (Gators, Infinity Scarves)287
MITTENS: 71-6=65
SLIPPERS: 60
RAIN PONCHOS: 205
COTTON WASHCLOTHS: 175
AFGHANS: 35
SOCKS: 123-3=120 

**We started the year with the number of items we had donated last year, 2016; and will subtract our donations from that.  Using the end number for 2016 as the goal for the each item.  So, as the year continues you will see numbers decrease.  Our goal is to meet and surpass the number of items donated last year.**

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Knitted and Crocheting and Keeping Homeless Warm

Thank you Sue S for this thoughtful donation.  We have some personal care items, some cotton knitted washcloths, knitted and crocheted scarves and scarves and headbands.........AND a rain poncho!  Whew...you've been busy.  Folks click to enlarge to see details (you know you can always do that here on the blog), did you see something new and unique in this donation?  Sunglasses!  What a great idea, something truly I have never thought of.  Odd to, since I wear sunglasses all year long.  But, truly I never thought about that as a good item to donate.  Well done! 

Folks, it's Spring; but we're still having some very cool nights.  As we speak, (well type) I'm sitting here with a heavy sweater on and a lapghan on my lap...so, our homeless friends are still very much in need of us keeping our hooks and needles busy.

Special thanks Sue, for tagging your hats with size.  I encourage everyone to do that.  It helps us get the donation to the right group; and saves lots of time with the volunteers who work with those in the elements, as well as those in the shelters.

Thank you Sue for your long standing support of Bridge and Beyond, and please keep up the good work.


2016 Donations:
HATS: 374-3=371
SCARVES (Gators, Infinity Scarves)289-2=287
MITTENS: 71
SLIPPERS: 60
RAIN PONCHOS: 206-1=205
COTTON WASHCLOTHS: 177-2=175
AFGHANS: 35
SOCKS: 123

**We started the year with the number of items we had donated last year, 2016; and will subtract our donations from that.  Using the end number for 2016 as the goal for the each item.  So, as the year continues you will see numbers decrease.  Our goal is to meet and surpass the number of items donated last year.**

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Personal Care Items Always Help the Homeless

My latest trips collection of personal care items, and coffee.  The coffee is always donated to Rae, our friend who prepares meals for Homeless on Saturday mornings.  The condo's we stay in always leaves a few for quests, but we always take our own coffee so I'm able to pass these along to Rae.  Collecting shampoo, conditioner, lotion and soap is so easy to do when you travel.  Sometimes hotels have other items like mouth wash, sewing kits, cotton balls and cotton swabs.  Please keep that in mind as the busy travel season is about to begin.  It won't be long before the kids are out of school, doesn't seem possible.  Seems every year the time passes more quickly.

I once again took traveling ghan with me and got another big chunk done, but forgot to get a picture.  So perhaps the next time I work on it, I'll get an updated picture to show you how it's growing.

Hope you're all enjoying the start to Spring (with some set backs though in some areas).  We've had some flowers blooming and the grass is greening up.  Always nice to see color after the blah's of winter.  But, don't be fooled, temps are still very uncomfortable for those living in the elements and the need for donations very much still exists.

So please, keep your yarn and needles busy.

Thank you for all you all do to help Ohio's Homeless in Need.

2016 Donations:
HATS: 375
SCARVES (Gators, Infinity Scarves)293
MITTENS: 71
SLIPPERS: 60
RAIN PONCHOS: 206
COTTON WASHCLOTHS: 177
AFGHANS: 35
SOCKS: 123

**We started the year with the number of items we had donated last year, 2016; and will subtract our donations from that.  Using the end number for 2016 as the goal for the each item.  So, as the year continues you will see numbers decrease.  Our goal is to meet and surpass the number of items donated last year.**

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

A Generous Donation for Ohio's Homeless

WOW!  Look at this awesome donation from our good friend and long time supporter, Sarah S.  LOVE the nice dark colors for that hats and scarves, and that you nicely tagged the hats with size.  Sarah has been busy, as you can see.  A nice pile of crocheted cotton washcloths also.  She's also included personal care items and some plastic containers that will help Rae when she prepares meals for those in need on Saturday mornings.

Many many thanks Sarah for your on going support of Bridge and Beyond.

Apologies for the delay in getting this posted.  I had posted the picture and numbers below right before heading out of town in order to write the post while away, and got locked out of my blog here on my ipad.  Took some doing going through multiple steps today in order to create a new password so I could get in.  Never had that happen with my blog before...a few other things when using the ipad,  somehow it seems more sensitive than my Windows Computer.  Or maybe it's going between different operating systems that causes the problems?

Keep up the good work, and many thanks Sarah S!!

2016 Donations:
HATS: 398-4=394
SCARVES (Gators, Infinity): 297-2=295
MITTENS: 77-1=76
SLIPPERS: 60
RAIN PONCHOS: 206
COTTON WASHCLOTHS: 196-12=184
AFGHANS: 35
SOCKS: 123

**We started the year with the number of items we had donated last year, 2016; and will subtract our donations from that.  Using the end number for 2016 as the goal for the each item.  So, as the year continues you will see numbers decrease.  Our goal is to meet and surpass the number of items donated last year.**

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

 Thank you Beth G for this fabulous and very generous donation of crocheted cotton wash cloths, personal care items, and nice warm scarves.  Sorry the picture is a bit funky folks.  This was the last picture I was able to take with my camera before the battery died.  LOVE all the nice dark solid scarves, they work so well for either men or women.

AND......look, there's more.  Separated the donations so things wouldn't be piled on top of each other for the pictures.  These are all scarves, just some aren't laid out.  Whew...she's been busy, please take time to come up for air Beth!

Beth has also included some personal care items in her donation for Ohio's Homeless.

Nice work, many thanks.

2016 Donations:
HATS: 400
SCARVES (Gators, Infinity): 318-19=299
MITTENS: 77
SLIPPERS: 60
RAIN PONCHOS: 206
COTTON WASHCLOTHS: 208-12=196
AFGHANS: 35
SOCKS: 123

**We started the year with the number of items we had donated last year, 2016; and will subtract our donations from that.  Using the end number for 2016 as the goal for the each item.  So, as the year continues you will see numbers decrease.  Our goal is to meet and surpass the number of items donated last year.**

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.